RedStrong Red (default) BlueCalm Blue GreenFresh Green

Chose your color scheme.


Archive for September 2020

The Winter Soldier

Posted on September 30, 2020 by under Confessions, Life.    

Untitled

I had some friends from pickleball over one night and, when we went down to the basement, Jen T was like, “Is that Pat on your wall?” I burst into a fit of laughter because of my sheer and utter nerdiness. Why, yes, it is Patrick Smith (and also Jocelyn Devilliers). What do you guys think of it? The poster was an early birthday present from my friend Matt Mayfield and, being a fan girl through and through, I had to frame and hang it.

Untitled

Here are a couple of pictures that Matt took of the guys signing the poster, which proves the authenticity of their signatures.

Untitled

I actually saw these photos posted on Facebook and, at the time, had no idea that the poster was for me. Matt said he would give me one but I thought he was just joking. I didn’t realize he was serious. I happened to be at Chicken N Pickle the Tuesday before Pat’s birthday when Matt came over and surprised me with the poster. I thought it was ironic that I was getting a present when it wasn’t even my birthday but I guess it’s in honor of Pat’s birthday. Besides, any reason to get (or give) a present is as good an excuse as any.

Untitled

Anyway, Pat and I are friendly but we aren’t close friends. Our relationship is mostly fan girl to pickleball idol but I still felt compelled to do something nice for him for his birthday. Karen had this brilliant idea to get fan shirts made. It was perfect timing too because that previous weekend Lauren McLaughlin (of Live with Lauren fame) christened Pat with his official pickleball nickname – the Winter Solider. Karen gave me free reign on the t-shirt design so I decided to embrace his new nickname and hashtag by putting it on our fan shirts. I pictured something like the “I <3 NY" shirts but with #WinterSoldier underneath it and Nicole with Simply Charming Designs executed on this vision perfectly.

Untitled

Karen and I gleefully wore our “I <3 PAT SMI" fan shirts to pickleball during Pat's birthday weekend proving, without a doubt, that we are his biggest fans.

Untitled

Karen, who is an amazing cook, also baked a delicious cheesecake for Pat on his birthday. We got to enjoy it on Saturday evening and then she brought him a slice the next day. Karen makes such delicious food. So far I’ve had her lasagna (twice), peach pie, Dutch baby pancakes, and cheesecake, and I have enjoyed all of it.

Untitled

Anyway, Lauren saw the fan shirts we made and she wanted one too but she wanted a tank top instead of a t-shirt. I got these very special white ones made for the two of us and sent hers as a gift to show my appreciation for the very awesome nickname that she gave to Pat. I can’t wait to see her wear hers! There’s an APP tournament coming up that it will be perfect for — the Cincinnati Pickleball Open coming up in a couple of weeks will be hosted by Jocelyn Devilliers and Patrick Smith. Lauren will be one of the commentators for that event so I’m hoping to see her wear her shirt then. I won’t be there in person but I’ll wear mine at home to show my support. At least we can twin from afar.

Untitled

Speaking of showing support, I got a couple of other shirts made for me and Karen for the weekend of the Cincinnati Open. We got blue shirts this time because it’s Pat’s favorite color. I’m so excited to wear these shirts because I think they turned out great. Also, Nicole got them done early enough that we can even wear them this weekend for the Texas Open, which Jay and Pat are playing in together.

Untitled

Besides the Texas Open, the Wichita Fall-Out pickleball tournament is also happening this weekend. It sucks that they’re happening at the same time because I know some people really wanted to be able to play in both tournaments and had to make some difficult choices (can’t be in two places at once). Anyway, I’m glad that tournaments are happening again. One of these days I’ll be able to play in one. Until then, GNG.

No Comments

Dutch Baby Pancakes

Posted on September 29, 2020 by under Food and Drink.    

Untitled

A couple of weeks ago, Karen invited me and our friend Lesli over to her house for a post-pickleball breakfast treat. She was making Dutch Baby pancakes. I naturally couldn’t turn it down because (a) I enjoy trying new things and I’d never had a Dutch Baby before, (b) everything Karen makes is amazing, and (c) I love food, specially free food.

Untitled

Here are some pictures of the finished dish.

Untitled

I’m not sure if this is the same as Karen’s recipe but I found this Dutch Baby recipe online and I think it’s very close.

INGREDIENTS:
3 eggs
½ cup flour
½ cup milk
1 tablespoon sugar
Pinch of nutmeg
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
Syrup, preserves, confectioners’ sugar or cinnamon sugar

PREPARATION:
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Combine eggs, flour, milk, sugar and nutmeg in a blender jar and blend until smooth. Batter may also be mixed by hand.
3. Place butter in a heavy 10-inch skillet or baking dish and place in the oven. As soon as the butter has melted (watch it so it does not burn) add the batter to the pan, return pan to the oven and bake for 20 minutes, until the pancake is puffed and golden. Lower oven temperature to 300 degrees and bake five minutes longer.
4. Remove pancake from oven, cut into wedges and serve at once topped with syrup, preserves, confectioners’ sugar or cinnamon sugar.

Karen used fresh fruit instead of preserves, which I think makes it even better. She also made homemade whipped cream.

Check out the video above for the making of this delicious treat. Thanks, Karen!

No Comments

Labor Day Fun

Posted on September 24, 2020 by under Food and Drink, Hobbies, Things to Do.    

Untitled

We had 12 people and 3 courts at Riverside Tennis Center (RTC) on Labor Day. We did a mixed doubles “keeper of courts” format where winners move up and losers move down and pairs split each time. It was so much fun!

I started on the bottom court for the first game but then pretty much bounced back and forth between the top two courts after that. Pretty much the only times I lost was when I played against Jamie. He didn’t lose any games at all that day. Basically I would win in middle court and move up. I’d play with Jamie and we would win so I’d stay. Then the next game I’d play against Jamie with the guy from the team moving up and then we would lose. I’d play on middle court with a new partner, win and move up, and the cycle basically repeated over again.

The highlight of the day for me were my two ATPs (Around the Post). Jamie had a good in between the legs one too when we were playing together. It was a great pickleball day for me.

Untitled

Oh, I took a selfie with Gary Miller because we rarely ever get to play together. He wasn’t even originally playing with us but Ryan Wolfe, who Jen T organized the pickleball play for, backed out last minute. We were scrambling to get a 12th and, thankfully, Gary was able to fill in.

Untitled

Fun fact: This is also the day I met Alex Silcock in real life for the first time ever. She’s a local fitness and lifestyle guru that I follow on Facebook. Naturally, I had to get a photo with her. I totally felt like a midget.

After pickleball, Brooke, Karen, and I met Brian at the downtown Meddy’s for lunch. I’m familiar with their food but it was my first time at that location. Here are some pictures of our food.

Untitled

Untitled

Untitled

Untitled

Untitled

They have a super cute patio with a fireplace (which wasn’t on that day because it was a nice day) and a wooden Wichita flag hanging above it. We thought the flag decor was cool so we had to get a picture with it. We are so silly!

Untitled

Anyway, it was the perfect start to the week! Until next time. GNG.

No Comments

Lunch at Saigon

Posted on September 23, 2020 by under Food and Drink.    

I was super hungry after pickleball one day and decided to meet up with my friend Brooke at Saigon. I hadn’t been there in a very long time because Brian usually doesn’t gravitate toward Vietnamese food when we are out together. Brooke, on the other hand, loves Vietnamese and other Oriental foods, which works out perfect for me. Here are some pictures of our lunch that day.

Untitled

This is what Brooke usually gets. I love this pork stuff. It reminds me of tocino but better because I don’t have to mess up a frying pan to enjoy it.

Untitled

She also got some spring rolls. I love spring rolls and theirs are so good!

Untitled

I got the appetizer platter so I could try all of the different starters they have. I was not a fan of the shrimp rice cake thing but everything else was good. I’d forgotten how much I enjoy their food. I will have to go back soon.

Untitled

Here’s their address and phone number in case you want to go or order takeout. Until next time. GNG.

No Comments

Monthly Pedicure Date

Posted on September 22, 2020 by under Date Ideas, Things to Do.    

Untitled

We had our monthly pedicure date with our friends Teresa and Ross a couple of weeks ago. I love that the four of us go to the same place and that Kathy can accommodate our group. It’s definitely something that I’ve come to look forward to each month. These guys are so fun!

Untitled

No Comments

« Older Entries «